Gps question

rhurbarb

Just wondered if i really need to go out there and buy a garmon 810 or could i get away upgrading my battery on my phone? as the bike shop told me that phones arent ideal for using gps because they tend to have a eat the battery...I know there are cheaper gps out there but i im drawn in by the bigger screen for sat nav ..Regards .Rhurbarb

markhewitt1978

http://www.mophie.com/

t4tomo

dedicated bike computer is definately better. you just need to decide what you want it for. Do you really need full mapping navigation on the 810 or can you make do with the 500 series or alternative Bryton etc. you then have tyour phone with you for emergency or if you get lost

kagemusha

Do you need the GPS for navigation or for tracking?

I read somewhere that if you switch your phone to flight mode after starting the recording it saves a ton of power as the tracked segments are only uploaded once you turn on 3G/Wi-fi, and are not continually uploaded as when not in flight mode. I've not tried this yet as I've not done a long enough ride - I usually just turn off wi-fi. I do use two Wahoo LE devices though and have not had any problems.

markhewitt1978

kagemusha wrote:

Do you need the GPS for navigation or for tracking?

I read somewhere that if you switch your phone to flight mode after starting the recording it saves a ton of power as the tracked segments are only uploaded once you turn on 3G/Wi-fi, and are not continually uploaded as when not in flight mode. I've not tried this yet as I've not done a long enough ride - I usually just turn off wi-fi. I do use two Wahoo LE devices though and have not had any problems.

This won't work with the iPhone as when you go into flight mode it will turn off GPS reception.

rhurbarb

Thank you so much for your replies ...More for the gps maps really ..id rather pay the extra for the maps to be honnest ...il try that link too..But i will look into the flight mode option ,Brilliant guys Thanks very much well appreciated ..rhurbarb

navrig

markhewitt1978 wrote:

kagemusha wrote:

Do you need the GPS for navigation or for tracking?

I read somewhere that if you switch your phone to flight mode after starting the recording it saves a ton of power as the tracked segments are only uploaded once you turn on 3G/Wi-fi, and are not continually uploaded as when not in flight mode. I've not tried this yet as I've not done a long enough ride - I usually just turn off wi-fi. I do use two Wahoo LE devices though and have not had any problems.

This won't work with the iPhone as when you go into flight mode it will turn off GPS reception.

Don't switch to flight mode but simply switch off data roaming. A modern smartphone should give you a day of GPS recording and still leave some battery assuming it's not overly used for calls and texting.

Not sure about the iPhone. I've alwaus used Android.

That said go for a proper fitness computer, IMHO.

rhurbarb

Im using an android phone here ..All my data roaming is switched off..i may leave the phone in the garden and see how long the battery lasts,Sometimes the gps doesnt pickup but according to my brother its common as he gets the same problem as well ..Cheers ..Rhubarb

Schoie81

If it helps i've got a Samsung phone which I use for tracking on Strava. I had it on charge before I set off last night and a 1hr52min ride used about 9-10% of the battery. I had data, bluetooth and WiFi all turned off, just GPS on. I didn't use it at all other than that during the ride, but it also received two text messages and two missed calls during the ride. At that rate, on a full charge, I would be good for at least 18hours of riding before the battery dies. As others have said, Strava store the data from your ride on your phone and then uploads at the end, so you don't need any internet connection while you're tracking.

rhurbarb

Excellent Schoie81 ..Appreciate that ,guess the bike shop was wrong ..Im going to try it,il invest in a waterproof case and a phone clamp ..superb ..thank you ...Regards Rhurbarb

Schoie81

rhurbarb wrote:

Excellent Schoie81 ..Appreciate that ,guess the bike shop was wrong ..Im going to try it,il invest in a waterproof case and a phone clamp ..superb ..thank you ...Regards Rhurbarb

If you're thinking of mounting it on the bars so you can use mapping to navigate by, then you'll not get that battery life out of it. My maps are in my head and the phone in my saddle bag and therefore the screen is off while i'm riding (although it would have been on for a little while whilst receiving the texts and phonecalls) - smartphone screens sap the battery - its the second biggest drain on my battery, according to the stats on the phone - and if you're wanting to be able to actually see it in sunlight, you're probably gonna need the brightness turned up too - so if you're using it in that way, you'll be looking at a lot less than 18 hours riding time. You might also need data turned on to use mapping...? If you're just tracking with it though, you should be good for most rides without battery isuues.

PhunkyPhil

Simple. Get a GPS device if you are serious about your cycling.

desweller

PhunkyPhil wrote:

Simple. Get a GPS device if you are serious about your cycling.

This is very funny to me. As if you can't be a serious cyclist without GPS.

To the OP: you could also consider one of the trekking units. They often have handlebar mounting options and are cheaper than the Edge 800 series.

rustncogs

DesWeller wrote:

PhunkyPhil wrote:

Simple. Get a GPS device if you are serious about your cycling.

This is very funny to me. As if you can't be a serious cyclist without GPS.

A cyclist isn't a serious cyclist without every gadget known to man. The carbon fibre versions naturally.
Known fact.

deadhead1971

I blogged a list of 10 reasons to ditch the smartphone and get a proper GPS a while back.
http://www.scarletfire.co.uk/2012/02/10-reasons-to-ditch-phone-apps-and-get-a-proper-gps-for-your-bike/

If you ride a lot, sooner or later the phone will let you down in some way, or you'll damage it.
With a Garmin, you're much more likely to be able to just get on with your ride, and have a reliable recording of it.